Grassroots to Growth: Football as a Community Catalyst at Soccerex Miami 2026

Football doesn't start in stadiums. It starts on a patch of grass, with a ball, and a few kids who just want to play.

That idea anchored "Grassroots to Growth: Football as a Community Catalyst," a panel at Soccerex Miami 2026 moderated by Kareem Rae, CEO & Co-Founder of One Soccer Nation. With the FIFA World Cup 26 now in the books, the conversation turned to the question every host city faces once the final whistle blows: what is left behind for the community?

THE PANEL

Moderator: Kareem Rae, CEO & Co-Founder, One Soccer Nation Jennifer Roche, Director of Community & Legacy, FWC26 Miami Fabiola Garcia, Project Manager, Love Futbol Rob Uvanovic, Executive Director, Miami Scores Dennis Gerkes, Influencer, Gerkicks

Together they represent every layer of the local game: the tournament's legacy planning, the nonprofits delivering programs on the ground, and the creators who bring new audiences into the sport.

GRASSROOTS IS WHERE IT ALL BEGINS

Local pitches are more than playing fields. They build belonging, leadership, and opportunity, and they give young people a safe, positive place to grow. Every professional league and every World Cup ultimately depends on this base.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ARE THE ENGINE

Organizations like Love Futbol and Miami Scores show what is possible when football is used for more than the game itself. Their work turns participation into education, mentorship, and long-term support for families, and it keeps the benefits flowing long after the headlines fade.

LEGACY MATTERS

Big tournaments are moments. The lasting value is in what they leave behind: improved facilities, stronger partnerships, and programs that continue to serve local communities. Planning for legacy from the start is what separates a great event from a lasting impact.

STORYTELLING DRIVES MOMENTUM

Funding and infrastructure matter, but so does attention. Voices like Dennis Gerkes's help bring more people into the movement, spotlighting local clubs, players, and programs that might otherwise go unseen.

THE TAKEAWAY

If we want to grow the game, we have to start where it starts: at the grassroots. The World Cup may have passed, but the work of turning a global moment into community growth is just getting started.